Help on 2003 745Li common issue

[Pumbaa]

Hi, recently I got a msg from the on board computer displaying

""FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG BELT TENSIONER OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR SAFETY BELT DESPITE FAULT.""

Can someone tell me how to clear this msg or what needs to be done?
I ask the dealership they quote me $800 without tax.

Any help would be great, thanks.

[bcrdukes]

Likely the sensor needs replacement. Try going to an independant shop such as Nixon, CG, BJ Autohaus etc. That's the only way to fix this problem. Clearing the code won't help it because it will simply come back.

You could drive with the warning on but when you get into an accident, your passenger will suffer some dire consequences as the front airbag will not deploy.

[godwin]

2003 is the first gen of iDrive. You can still get the fault cleared using CarSoft, so most independent shop will have the ability to clear it.

However to fix it is another story. Belt tensioners are actually a mini rotary motor. If you have your car serviced regularly at a BMW dealership, you can probably get it good willed as it is common for early E65 to have that issue.

$800 is actually cheap if you have the whole assembly replaced.

[nestea69]

the first mistake you made was ask a dealer. Check the sensors around the passanger belt ,spray them with contact cleaner, it might fix the problem.. even though its not really a problem since it doesnt affect the car. i removed my side lights, front lights, fog lights and i get messages to check my lights every time i start up my car, annoying, but im not going to pay 2000$ for original oem lights to not have a message pop up